Device and method for gait synchronized sensory stimulation of the lower extremities

Abstract

A device can comprise: a trigger chamber, having a trigger elastic wall and a trigger base wall, the trigger chamber configured for relative motion between the trigger elastic wall and the trigger base wall; a connecting line fluidly coupled to the trigger chamber, the connecting line having a substantially inelastic wall; a stimulation chamber fluidly coupled to the connecting line, the stimulation chamber having a stimulation elastic wall and a stimulation base wall, the stimulation chamber configured for relative motion between the stimulation elastic wall and the stimulation base wall, the stimulation elastic wall having an exterior surface; a plurality of projections coupled to the exterior surface; and a stabilizing frame, the stabilizing frame having a substantially rigid wall, the stabilizing frame having a plurality of apertures, the stabilizing frame extending over the stimulation chamber, the projections configured to extend through the apertures when the stimulation chamber is expanded.

The claimed invention is: 
     
       1. A device for treatment of a gait disorder comprising:
 a first chamber having a first variable volume; 
 a connection line fluidly coupled to the first chamber; 
 a second chamber having a second variable volume that is fluidly coupled to the connection line; 
 a projection located on an outer surface of the second chamber; and 
 a frame fixed relative to a position of the second chamber, the frame overlying the second chamber, the frame including an aperture located such that the projection extends into the aperture when the second chamber is in an expanded state. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first chamber is located proximate a portion of a footwear that receives pressure during a segment of a gait. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2 , wherein the portion is at least one of a heel of the footwear, a toe of the footwear, or a side of the footwear. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first variable volume and the second variable volume are inversely related. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the projection is clear of the aperture when the second chamber is in a collapsed state. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first chamber includes a first elastic wall and a first base wall, whereby the first elastic wall is configured to move relative to the first base wall. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 6 , wherein the second chamber includes a second elastic wall and a second base wall, whereby the second elastic wall is configured to move relative to the second base wall. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the first elastic wall includes a first measure of elasticity and the second elastic wall includes a second measure of elasticity. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the first measure of elasticity and the second measure of elasticity are not equal. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the first measure of elasticity and the second measure of elasticity are equal. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the first elastic wall and the second elastic wall are configured of at least one of natural rubber, silicone rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, and thermoplastic rubber. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 1 , wherein when the second chamber is in the expanded state, a tip of the projection extends outwardly from an outer surface of the frame a distance in the range of 0-20 mm. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 1 , further including a second connection line fluidly coupled to the first chamber and to a third chamber. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 13 , further including a third connection line fluidly coupled to the first chamber and to a fourth chamber. 
     
     
       15. A method comprising:
 compressing a first chamber, the first chamber having a first variable volume; 
 forcing fluid through a first connection line, the first connection line fluidly coupled to the first chamber; 
 expanding a second chamber that is fluidly coupled to the first connection line, the second chamber having a second variable volume, the second chamber having an exterior surface; 
 extending a first projection that is coupled to the exterior surface through an aperture in a frame, the frame configured to be in a fixed position relative to the second chamber and overly the second chamber; and 
 stimulating a user with the first projection. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein compressing the first chamber is synchronized with a phase of a gait. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the phase includes at least one of toe pressure, heel pressure, or side pressure. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising
 compressing a third chamber; 
 forcing fluid through a second connection line, the second connection line fluidly coupled to the third chamber; 
 expanding a fourth chamber that is fluidly coupled to the second connection line; 
 extending a second projection that is coupled to the fourth chamber; and 
 stimulating a user with the second projection. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising
 forcing fluid through a second connection line, the second connection line fluidly coupled to the first chamber; 
 expanding a third chamber that is fluidly coupled to the second connection line; 
 extending a second projection that is coupled to the third chamber; and 
 stimulating a user with the second projection.